Published on: 7/9/2025
Can anxiety cause throat tightness, and how can it be managed?
Anxiety can cause throat tightness, and it can be managed through psychotherapy and understanding vocal cord dysfunction.
Explanation
Anxiety can make your throat feel tight. This is because it affects your body and mind in different ways. When you feel anxious, your muscles might tense up, including those in your throat. This can make it hard to swallow or breathe comfortably.
To help with this, there are a few things you can do:
Psychotherapy: Talking to someone who is trained to help people with anxiety can be very helpful. They can teach you ways to feel less anxious and help you understand why you feel this way.
Vocal Cord Dysfunction: Sometimes, anxiety can make the vocal cords not work right. This can also make your throat feel tight. Understanding this can help you know what is happening and find ways to make it better.
If anxiety is making you feel very uncomfortable, it’s important to reach out for help. You can visit 988lifeline.org for more support.
(References)
- Peat C, & McGeorge S. (2012). Practice question. Nursing older people, 27744869.
- Melo-Carrillo A, Rodriguez R, Ashina S, Lipinski B, Hart P, & Burstein R. (2023). Psychotherapy Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder .... Psychology research and behavior management, 36726697.
- Ambati SR, Kaslovsky R, Evans MT, & Edge W. (2023). Vocal Cord Dysfunction During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Respiratory care, 36810361.
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